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Executive Brief
The moment CMMC became real, so did the shortcut traps.
Some vendors are now promising “rapid certification,” “pass-guaranteed assessments,” or “automated compliance in 30 days.”
The problem: None of these shortcuts align with how CMMC actually works. And following them can put your business at risk of audit failure, False Claims Act exposure, or even losing current work.
Dig deeper below to learn what fast-track offers usually get wrong, the risks contractors face, and what to do instead.
Why Shortcuts Fail Under CMMC
CMMC Level 2 requires full implementation of all 110 NIST SP 800-171 controls supported by evidence, artifacts, and operational maturity.
Shortcuts usually skip one or more of these essentials:
- Documentation without implementation: Auto-generated SSPs and policies that reflect “ideal state,” not your actual environment.
- Evidence gaps: Tools that promise “automated evidence generation” but don’t produce auditor-acceptable artifacts.
- Artificially inflated SPRS scores: Vendors telling you to score yourself higher because “everyone does it.” (False; and already tied to real FCA settlements.)
- No operational maturity: “Set it and forget it” configurations fail every time in a real audit, where assessors ask staff to demonstrate processes.
- Misleading timelines: Most companies need months, not weeks, to implement, test, and operationalize controls especially those tied to access control, logging, and secure configuration baselines.
Shortcuts may get you a binder of templates. They won’t get you certified.
Red Flags to Watch For
Shortcuts usually show up as one or more red flags:
- “We guarantee certification.” No vendor can guarantee a pass. C3PAOs conduct assessments, not tool providers.
- “Fully automated compliance.” Automation supports tracking but cannot implement technical controls or produce all artifacts. Even top platforms require human oversight.
- “You don’t need remediation; just good documentation.” CMMC requires actual implementation. Documentation is never enough.
- “Self-assessment is fine for most contractors.” False. Level 2 self-assessment is limited to non-prioritized acquisitions and must be allowed in the contract.
- “We can do it all for you.” Compliance is always a shared responsibility between the vendor and the organization seeking certification. A credible partner will set clear expectations about what they own and what you must implement internally.
- No clear Shared Responsibility Matrix. Any solution that doesn’t outline who is responsible for each control is a risk. If roles, boundaries, and expectations aren’t defined upfront, gaps—and finger-pointing—will follow.
If the promise sounds easier than real compliance, it is just that: a promise.
The Risks of Taking Shortcuts
Fast-track approaches create real exposure:
Assessment Failure
C3PAOs validate evidence, interview staff, and test controls. If implementation doesn’t match your SSP, they document findings. You may get a short window of time to correct some issues, but unresolved gaps can still block certification.
False Claims Act Liability
Inflated SPRS scores or inaccurately documented controls can trigger FCA violations, and several contractors have already faced six- and seven-figure penalties.
Contract Loss
Primes increasingly require proof of readiness before onboarding. Any sign of a shortcut undermines trust in your posture.
Costly Rework
Teams often spend more time and money unwinding broken “fast-track” setups than if they had followed a legitimate readiness path from the start.
What Actually Works (and Why)
- An Accurate Gap Analysis. Real compliance starts with identifying what’s implemented, what’s not, and what can be remediated quickly. Tools help, but human interpretation is essential.
- A System Security Plan That Matches Reality. Your SSP must reflect your environment, boundaries, controls, and inherited services, not vendor boilerplate.
- Documented, Demonstrable Controls. Assessment objectives matter. You must show policies + procedures + technical evidence during a C3PAO review.
- POA&Ms with Real Remediation Pathways. POA&Ms are allowed, but only for specific controls and within strict deadlines. They are not a substitute for implementation.
- Reasonable Timeline and Sequencing. Most companies need 9 to 12 months for full readiness depending on scope, gaps, and data flows.
Shortcut-free CMMC is slower, but safer, accurate, and certifiable.
When You Should Be Skeptical
Use caution if a vendor:
- Has no CMMC-RP or cybersecurity staff
- Won't discuss boundary scoping
- Can’t tell you what evidence auditors expect
- Claims their tool “implements the controls”
- Pushes instant SSPs or pre-filled templates
- Downplays the importance of SPRS accuracy
- Has no timeline to become CMMC certified
- Avoids discussing the 110 controls and their 320 assessment objectives
If they can’t explain the difference between documentation, implementation, and evidence, your best bet is to walk away.
How ISI Helps Contractors Avoid Shortcuts
- Gap assessments grounded in NIST SP 800-171
- Accurate SPRS scoring and artifact collection
- SSPs and POA&Ms tailored specifically to your environment
- Assessment prep based on first-hand Level 2 audit experience
- Validated cybersecurity tools used during our own assessment
- Liaison support before, during, and after assessments
ISI doesn’t promise shortcuts; we build programs that pass.
FAQs
Can software alone make us CMMC compliant?
No. Software can help track tasks and collect evidence, but it cannot implement controls or guarantee certification.Is there a legitimate way to accelerate readiness?
Yes: improving access controls, using vetted tools, and prioritizing high-value NIST controls. None are shortcuts, just smarter sequencing.Do shortcut programs raise red flags with primes?
Increasingly, yes. Many primes now verify SSP quality, SPRS scores, and evidence before awarding subcontracts.
